Schools used as dumping grounds for trash

Alliston Herald

SIMCOE COUNTY – Illegal dumping is becoming an increasing concern at public schools in Simcoe County.
Couches, mattresses, household trash and other waste items have been left at various school grounds, the Simcoe County District School Board reports.
“People are leaving waste items illegally at our schools, either because they don’t know how to properly dispose of these items, or because they are trying to avoid fees associated with proper disposal at landfills,” Kayla Kalalian, the board’s environmental systems co-ordinator, stated in a press release.
School custodial staff must delay their regular duties to gather these illegally dumped items and dispose of them properly to ensure student and staff safety, she added.
Disposing of waste at a county landfill costs approximately $6 per 100 pounds, which means dumping an unwanted couch and a mattress set would cost approximately $10. Those same items on school grounds will cost taxpayers approximately $50 for removal and disposal.
The North Simcoe Transfer Station, located at 1700 Golf Link Rd. in Midland, operates Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For rate information, call 705-735-6901.